Cat owners are often familiar with the sound of their feline friend throwing up. While occasional vomiting might seem like a normal part of cat life, it can actually be a sign of various underlying issues, ranging from minor stomach upsets to more serious health conditions. Understanding why cats throw up is crucial for every cat owner to ensure their pet’s well-being.
If your cat has vomited, you’ve likely asked yourself, “Why is my cat throwing up?” To help your veterinarian diagnose the reason behind your cat’s vomiting, be prepared to answer questions about your cat’s recent activities and health. These questions can provide valuable clues and guide the next steps in determining the cause.
- Was the cat exposed to plants or potential toxins? Ingestion of toxic substances is a common reason for vomiting in cats.
- When did the vomiting start? The onset and duration of vomiting are important indicators.
- What is your cat’s normal diet? Dietary changes or sensitivities can lead to vomiting.
- Does your cat go outside, and if so, does it hunt? Outdoor cats may ingest prey or scavenge, leading to digestive upset or parasites.
- What does the vomit look like? The appearance of vomit can offer clues about the location and nature of the problem.
- Is your cat currently on any medications? Some medications can cause vomiting as a side effect.
- Is your cat also experiencing diarrhea? Combined symptoms can point to systemic issues.
- Is your cat eating normally? Changes in appetite, especially decreased appetite, can be significant.
- When does the vomiting occur in relation to eating or other activities? Timing can help identify triggers.
- Is your cat losing weight? Weight loss can be a sign of chronic illness.
- Is your cat drinking or urinating more or less than usual? Changes in thirst and urination can indicate underlying diseases like kidney disease or diabetes.
- Does your cat play with string or similar objects? Ingestion of foreign bodies is a common cause of vomiting, particularly in younger cats.
Providing detailed answers to these questions will equip your veterinarian with essential information to determine the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan for your feline companion.
Understanding Cat Vomit: What Does It Mean?
While the appearance of vomit is not a definitive diagnostic tool, it can provide your vet with valuable initial insights. Different characteristics of vomit can suggest different potential issues.
Yellow Vomit
Yellow vomit in cats typically indicates the presence of bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. While bile in vomit can sometimes be a sign of liver disease, it more commonly occurs when a cat vomits on an empty stomach. It can also simply mean your cat ate something yellow, though this is less likely to be the primary cause if the vomiting is persistent.
Clear Vomit
Clear vomit can be caused by regurgitation from the esophagus or may originate from an empty stomach. Regurgitation is often a passive process, meaning it happens without strong abdominal contractions, and the expelled material is usually undigested and may appear tubular in shape.
White, Foamy Vomit
Similar to clear vomit, white, foamy vomit often suggests regurgitation from the esophagus or vomiting from an empty stomach. The foamy texture is due to air mixing with stomach fluids.
Blood in the Vomit
The presence of blood in cat vomit, known as hematemesis, is always a cause for concern. The blood can originate from various locations, including the mouth, esophagus, or stomach. Bright red blood indicates fresh bleeding, while darker blood or clots may suggest bleeding that has occurred higher up in the digestive tract.
Coffee-Ground Vomit
Vomit with a “coffee-ground” appearance is a sign of digested blood, usually indicating bleeding from the stomach. This type of vomit is commonly associated with stomach ulcers or other conditions causing chronic bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Brown, Smelly Vomit
Brown, smelly vomit can be due to several reasons. It may indicate bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract where the blood has been digested, or it could simply mean your cat has eaten something brown and foul-smelling, such as feces, although this is less common.
Undigested Food in the Vomit
Seeing undigested food in your cat’s vomit suggests that the food hasn’t moved past the stomach. This can occur due to food intolerances or allergies, gastrointestinal obstructions, or any condition that irritates the upper gastrointestinal tract and disrupts normal digestion. It’s crucial to note when your cat last ate. For instance, vomiting undigested food a day after eating could point towards a more serious issue like an obstruction or a motility disorder affecting stomach emptying.
Diagnostic Steps Your Vet May Take
Following your initial observations and answers to questions, a thorough physical examination by your veterinarian is the next essential step. During the exam, your vet will look for several indicators to help narrow down the potential causes of vomiting.
Physical Examination
The veterinarian will palpate your cat’s abdomen to check for pain, masses, or organ enlargement. They will also check for obvious foreign bodies, such as string wrapped around the base of the tongue, which cats sometimes ingest. Other aspects of the physical exam include assessing for:
- Weight loss: Indicating chronic illness.
- Heart murmurs: Possibly related to systemic disease.
- Enlarged thyroid gland: Suggesting hyperthyroidism, which can cause vomiting.
- Fever: Indicating infection or inflammation.
The findings from the physical exam, combined with your history, will guide the veterinarian in determining which, if any, further diagnostic tests are needed.
Abdominal X-rays and Blood Work
If further investigation is warranted, abdominal radiographs (X-rays) and blood work with a urinalysis are typically the initial diagnostic tests.
X-rays can reveal a range of abnormalities, including:
- Organ size and shape changes: Indicating organomegaly or atrophy.
- Foreign bodies: Radiopaque objects that may be causing obstruction.
- Tumors: Large masses visible in the abdominal cavity.
- Constipation: Severe fecal impaction.
- Other structural abnormalities: Such as fluid accumulation or gas distension.
Blood work is crucial for assessing organ function and detecting metabolic disorders. It can help diagnose conditions like:
- Organ dysfunction: Assessing liver and kidney function.
- Diabetes mellitus: By measuring blood glucose levels.
- Hyperthyroidism: By measuring thyroid hormone levels.
A urinalysis, performed in conjunction with blood work, is essential for diagnosing conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections.
Blood tests can sometimes also provide clues about toxin exposure, like antifreeze poisoning. However, specific toxin tests are often limited. Diagnosing toxin exposure frequently relies on the owner’s knowledge of potential exposure and the presence of classic clinical signs.
Barium Study, Ultrasound, and Endoscopy
If initial X-rays are not conclusive beyond identifying obvious foreign bodies, further abdominal imaging studies may be necessary.
A barium study involves administering barium, a contrast agent, orally or rectally, and then taking a series of X-rays. This helps to visualize the gastrointestinal tract and identify:
- Foreign objects: Radiolucent objects that are not visible on regular X-rays.
- Motility issues: Abnormalities in the movement of food through the intestines.
- Obstructions: Blockages in the intestinal tract.
Ultrasound provides a detailed view of the internal architecture of abdominal organs. It is particularly useful for:
- Assessing organ structure: Evaluating the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and other organs.
- Identifying masses or tumors: Visualizing soft tissue abnormalities.
- Guiding biopsies: Facilitating needle aspiration or biopsy of specific organs for definitive diagnosis.
Endoscopy involves using a flexible scope with a camera to directly visualize the inside of the stomach, upper intestines, or colon. Endoscopy is valuable for:
- Foreign body retrieval: Removing objects from the stomach that may not be visible on X-rays.
- Visualizing the gastrointestinal lining: Detecting inflammation, ulcers, or tumors.
- Collecting biopsies: Obtaining tissue samples from the stomach and upper intestines for microscopic examination.
Exploratory Surgery
In cases of persistent vomiting that is not controlled by symptomatic treatment, or when a foreign body is strongly suspected, exploratory surgery may be required. This can be necessary in both acute and chronic vomiting scenarios.
Exploratory surgery is used to:
- Diagnose and remove foreign bodies: In acute vomiting cases where obstruction is suspected.
- Obtain biopsies: In chronic vomiting cases to investigate intestinal cancer, non-intestinal abdominal disease, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
During surgery, biopsies can be taken from the intestines, stomach, liver, pancreas, lymph nodes, and any other abnormal areas. The most common diagnoses from surgical biopsies in cases of chronic vomiting are IBD and various forms of cancer.
While surgery allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the entire intestinal tract and abdominal organs, endoscopy is often considered a less invasive and less expensive alternative. Endoscopy usually allows for representative intestinal biopsies and has a much shorter recovery time compared to surgery. However, surgery allows for larger and full-thickness biopsies and the ability to sample other organs like the liver and pancreas, which endoscopy cannot reach.
The decision between endoscopy and exploratory surgery depends on the individual case, the suspected causes of vomiting, and the owner’s financial considerations. Both procedures can be costly, with endoscopy potentially reaching $1,500 and exploratory surgery exceeding $2,000. Due to the expense, some owners may opt for less invasive treatments without a definitive diagnosis, which requires careful discussion with the veterinarian about the potential risks and benefits.
Treatment Options for a Cat Who’s Throwing Up
Treatment for vomiting in cats is highly dependent on the underlying cause. While addressing each specific cause is beyond the scope of this article, we can discuss some common general treatments.
Fluids
If a physical exam and history do not reveal any significant concerns, symptomatic therapy, such as subcutaneous (under the skin) fluid administration, may be initiated. Even if a cat is not clinically dehydrated, fluid therapy is beneficial to:
- Flush the system: Helping to eliminate potential toxins or irritants.
- Maintain hydration: Counteracting fluid loss from vomiting and reduced water intake.
Dehydration can worsen vomiting and create a negative cycle. Dehydrated cats feel unwell, are less likely to eat or drink, and may vomit more, leading to further dehydration.
Fluid therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for almost all causes of vomiting. For severely dehydrated or weak cats, intravenous (IV) fluids are often recommended. IV fluids, administered through a catheter in a vein, provide a more direct and efficient way to rehydrate and can deliver larger volumes of fluids throughout the day. However, IV fluid therapy is more expensive and requires hospitalization. In less severe cases, subcutaneous fluids can be effective, but they may not be absorbed as well in severely dehydrated patients, making IV fluids necessary.
Anti-Vomiting Medication
Anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medications are commonly used to control vomiting and reduce fluid loss. These medications can also:
- Relieve abdominal discomfort: Making the cat feel more comfortable.
- Stimulate appetite: Encouraging the cat to eat.
In some cases, stomach protectants like Pepcid (famotidine) or sucralfate may be considered, although their effectiveness is debated. They are generally safe and may provide some benefit. If anti-emetics do not adequately manage pain, pain medication may be added to the treatment plan.
Diet Changes
Dietary modification is a critical treatment component for both acute and chronic vomiting in cats.
For acute vomiting, a temporary switch to a highly digestible diet is often recommended. Examples include:
- Prescription diets: Royal Canin Gastrointestinal High Energy, Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d.
- Bland homemade diets: Plain meat-flavored baby food (without onion or garlic powder), boiled chicken (skinless, boneless).
It’s important to remember that chicken and baby food are not nutritionally complete for long-term use and should only be used for a few days.
For chronic vomiting, a diet change can be both therapeutic and diagnostic. If switching to a new diet resolves the vomiting, it suggests that dietary intolerance, allergy, or low-grade IBD may be contributing factors.
When conducting a diet trial for chronic vomiting, it’s crucial to maintain the cat on the new diet for several weeks to assess its effectiveness. The diet should be either a prescription hypoallergenic diet or a limited-ingredient prescription diet to ensure it is nutritionally complete and balanced for long-term health.
Prednisone
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic vomiting in cats, and prednisone, a corticosteroid medication, is frequently used in its treatment. However, prednisone is not a first-line treatment and should only be considered after discussion with your veterinarian and ideally after some diagnostic testing.
Prednisone has several potential side effects, including:
- Increased thirst and urination.
- Weakened immune system.
- Muscle weakness.
Furthermore, prednisone can worsen certain conditions that cause vomiting, such as pancreatitis, diabetes, and kidney disease. If blood work and X-rays are normal, and further diagnostics are declined, a trial of prednisone might be considered for chronic vomiting, but only after a thorough discussion with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits.
In conclusion, understanding why cats throw up involves considering a wide range of potential causes, from simple dietary indiscretions to complex medical conditions. If your cat vomits more than once or twice, or if you notice any concerning signs like blood in the vomit, lethargy, or changes in appetite or thirst, it is essential to consult with your veterinarian. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for ensuring your cat’s health and well-being.
